Chapter 62: First Volume, Chapter 62: Add a Stake

First Volume, Chapter 62: Add a Stake

"What do the other three families think?"

The Hubei Party exchanged glances, wanting to refuse, but Qin Feng had long been fawning over the Liang Emperor; if they now defied the ImperialWill, it would draw excessive attention and earn the Emperor's disdain.

The Minister of Revenue still held his composure, slowly rising and bowing to the Liang Emperor: "Your Majesty, this contest is merely childish nonsense among the young; whether to add this stake should be left to their own discretion."

Li Rui, who loved watching chaos unfold, froze in place, silently cursing Qin Feng's ancestors: "You brat, you and Ning Hu are fighting to the death—what's this got to do with us? Why is this fire now burning toward me?"

Seeing Li Rui hesitate, Qin Feng struck with a brutal blow: "Are you scared? Or have you spent all your money on the Hua Fang again?"

At these words, Li Rui wanted to strangle Qin Feng on the spot.

This bastard dared say such things right before the Emperor! And that trip to the Hua Fang was nearly a month ago—this fellow clings to that slip-up and brings it up every time to mock me, leaving Li Rui both furious and helpless.

The Minister of Revenue frowned and snapped at Qin Feng: "What Hua Fang? Young Master Qin, watch your words!"

Before Qin Feng could reply, Qin Tianhu coldly retorted: "Didn't you just say this contest is childish nonsense among the young? Then why are you, as an elder, interfering? If you're afraid, just admit it—why threaten a youth? Doesn't that disgrace your status?"

The Minister of Revenue naturally didn't want to openly feud with Qin Tianhu; he merely snorted and fell silent.

As the two sides remained deadlocked, Ning Hu, who deeply understood Qin Feng's intent, suddenly growled: "Fine, let's gamble! Qin Feng, remember what this Marquis says: others fear you, but I don't!"

Qin Feng absolutely loved this foolhardy youth—with him around, how could his plan fail? If not for fearing this little tiger might bite, he'd have patted his head in reward.

Qin Feng, hands behind his back, beamed: "The Yong'an Marquis is still alive—how can you, Little Marquis, already call yourself 'this Marquis'? Hehe, aren't you a bit too eager?"

Ning Hu nearly choked on Qin Feng's words; he was both furious and terrified, glancing nervously at Ning Qingquan and immediately seeing his father's grim expression. After all, saying "this Marquis" just now implied a curse—that Ning Qingquan should die soon so he could inherit the title.

Cheng Fa, also dragged into this quarrel, hurried over to Ning Hu and whispered: "Little Marquis, don't engage this fellow in verbal sparring—words too many invite mistakes."

Ning Hu had already felt Qin Feng's power; though unwilling, he accepted Cheng Fa's advice.

With the bet settled, Qin Feng was still unsatisfied—he turned to the Liang Emperor and blared: "Your Majesty, just sit there watching? Not going to join in?"

The Liang Emperor blinked, utterly unprepared for Qin Feng to drag him into this—but since he'd already placed his bet on Qin Feng, what was one more? Win, and everyone rejoices; lose, and Qin Feng takes the blame—he loses nothing.

"Since today is the grand celebration of Ji Wang's birthday, I make an exception: no taboos today—only today."

"I bet one thousand tael of silver on Qin Feng."

Only one thousand tael? Qin Feng sneered inwardly—this old bastard was a miser, not a single copper coin to spare.

The surrounding officials felt a mix of emotions—they hadn't expected the Liang Emperor to tolerate Qin Feng so openly, even joining the bet. But since the Emperor had declared today's exception, they no longer hesitated; to please His Majesty, they all began placing bets.

The Hubei Party immediately piled heavy bets on Ning Hu—each wager at least ten thousand tael.

Ning Qingquan, ever generous, placed fifty thousand tael on Ning Hu.

Though Qin Feng had the Emperor's favor, the officials present were pragmatic—most bet on Ning Hu, holding little hope for Qin Feng.

Qin Tianhu had planned to support Qin Feng with three thousand tael, but Qin Feng shot him a look that refused it, then held up one finger.

Qin Tianhu, confused, whispered: "Too much? One thousand tael?"

Qin Feng shook his head again, his eyes signaling: don't get involved.

Qin Tianhu paused, glanced at the Liang Emperor on the throne, then recalled Qin Feng's earlier debate with the court scholars—he suddenly understood, quickly slipped the silver back into his sleeve, and pretended nothing had happened.

By rough estimate, the officials' bets on Ning Hu totaled over fifty thousand tael; those on Qin Feng, even counting everything, barely reached ten thousand tael.

Seeing the moment was ripe, Qin Feng turned and shouted at Qin Tianhu, throwing a tantrum: "Father! Li Rui, Cheng Fa, and Ning Hu's father—all bet heavily on their sons! You don't even cheer for me? Am I even your own flesh and blood?!"

Qin Tianhu seethed inwardly: "You brat—you told me not to get involved! Now you turn on me? Are you even capable of betraying your own father?!"

Qin Tianhu opened his mouth to roar, then swallowed the words. His rebellious son had actually sat on the ground, kicking his legs and wailing like a spoiled child. Qin Tianhu instantly understood—his expression flipped 180 degrees, turning stern.

"Though I, Qin Tianhu, am no paragon of purity, I've always been frugal—my annual salary, after daily expenses, goes entirely to aid the poor. Where would I find spare silver for gambling? If you find life in the Qin Family too hard, go find another father—I won't stop you."

Qin Feng acted as if grievously wronged, rolling on the floor: "No ten thousand tael? Then at least one thousand? No one thousand? Then a hundred? The stake may be small, but the sentiment matters!"

Qin Tianhu glared, stormed over, and kicked Qin Feng hard, bellowing: "I am a first-rank official of the court—how could I possibly gamble? It's disgraceful!"

"You rebellious brat—do you want to ruin my official standing?! You deserve a beating!"

As he spoke, Qin Tianhu turned his act into reality, pummeling Qin Feng with fists and kicks.

Qin Feng dodged left and right, running while shouting: "Father! Enough! Stop! You're serious?!"

Watching this father-son act, the hall fell deathly silent.

The officials who had just eagerly placed bets now drooped like wilted eggplants.

Some even whispered curses: "These damned father and son—they've teamed up to trick us!"

The shrewd Minister of Revenue turned green with rage, unable to hold back: "I've hunted hawks all my life—only to be pecked in the eye by a sparrow! I never thought I'd fall for this bastard's evil scheme!"